Bag mounted with casters

ABSTRACT

A bag mounted with casters has a bag body attached to a base frame mounted with the casters at four corners of bottom surface thereof. The base frame includes a loading table, and vertically extensible rods with a grip mounted at upper ends thereof. The extensible rods are fixed on one side of the loading table so as to stand on their own. Further, when the grip is raised, the extensible rods are curved or tilted so that the grip moves from the one side toward the middle of the loading table. The extensible rods are secured at a position in a retracted state by stoppers so that the grip is positioned at upper portion of the bag body or above the bag body, and are secured at a position by the stoppers in an extended state so that a height of the grip from bottoms of the caster is in a range of 60 to 100 cm.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a bag mounted with casters, andparticularly to a bag having a handle that can vertically move.

[0003] 2. Discussion of the Related Art

[0004] Bags provided with casters and a freely extensible handle havealready been developed and widely used. There are many bags of thisstructure which are sized to allow the bag to be boarded on planes orthe bag may be of a somewhat larger size. For example, bags of thisstructure have been mentioned in U.S. Pat. No. 4,995,487 (PatentReference 1); Japanese Patent Publication 4-76686 (Patent Reference 2)issued Dec. 4, 1992; Japanese non-examined Utility Model Publication No.57-179824 (Patent Reference 3) issued Nov. 15, 1982 and Japanesenon-examined Utility Model Publication No. 63-131634 (Patent Reference4) issued Aug. 29, 1988. The bags mentioned in these publications areprovided with two casters 141 mounted on one side of a bottom face ofthe bags as shown in FIG. 1. A pair of short legs 142 is fixed on theopposite side of the bottom face with respect to the casters 141. Whenthe bag is in a vertical orientation, the casters 141 and the legs 142are in contact with the floor. In this condition, because the legs 142do not turn and are in contact with the floor, the bag can stand uprightwithout moving. Further, an extensible handle 143 is provided at anupper face of the bag to allow the bag to be pulled. The casters 141 aremounted on the same side of the bag as the handle 143 because the bag ispulled while in a slanted or a tilted orientation.

[0005] As shown in FIG. 1, the bag can be moved when it is tilted andpulled by the handle 143. When the bag is tilted, the casters 141 remainin contact with the floor and the legs 142 leave the floor. When thehandle 143 is pulled in this condition, the casters 141 turn therebymaking the bag easy to move. However, with the bags that move in thisfashion, the casters 141 cannot sometimes be used in narrow places suchas in the inside of a plane cabin or in a crowded area. Therefore, thebag cannot be moved freely with casters 141 in the aisles between theseats in the cabin of a plane, or in crowded areas. When the casters 141cannot be used, it is necessary to lift the bag and to carry it by hand.In order to prevent the width of the bag from being wide, when the bagis lifted up and carried by hand, it is then possible to move the bag inthe direction shown by arrow A in FIG. 1.

[0006] The bag mounted with casters has a convenient structure whichallows heavy bags to be moved easily. This is because even if the bag isheavy, it can be pulled easily while rolling on the casters. In order tosolve the drawbacks of the prior art, the present inventor has developedthe bag structure shown in FIG. 2. The bag shown in FIG. 2 has casters241 fixed at the bottom face of bag body 244. To allow the bag body 244to stand by itself in an upright position, the casters 241 are mountedat the four corners of the bottom face, respectively. A grip 243A of ahandle 243 is located at the middle between the right and left sides ofthe upper face of the bag body 244. In contrast to the bag shown in FIG.1, the bag shown in FIG. 2 can be moved not with tilting the bag body,but with standing in a vertical position as shown by the arrow in theFIG. 2. When it is moved in the direction shown by the arrow, it can bemoved with a narrow width of the bag body oriented perpendicular to thedirection of travel. For this reason, the bag shown in FIG. 2 has theadvantage that it can be conveniently moved in plane cabins or crowdedareas. Furthermore, the bag can be freely moved in any direction byusing free casters in an upright position, which swiveling in anydirection, for the four casters 241. Also, the upright bag does nottransmit the bag weight to the handle 243. Therefore, even a fairlyheavy bag can be easily pushed and moved.

[0007] The bag of this structure can be lightly and easily moved on itsfour casters by pushing the grip of the handle. However, with a bag ofthis structure it is necessary to place the grip of the handle at themiddle of the bag body, i.e. between the right and the left sides of thebag body. If a grip is fixed to one side of the bag body having freeswiveling casters, it is difficult to move the bag straightly by pushingthe grip.

[0008] As shown in the cross sectional view of FIG. 3, with the bagmounted with the handle at the middle of the upper face of the bag body,it is necessary to fix extensible rods 245 of the handle 243 to theinside of the bag body 244. To place the grip 243A at the middle betweenthe right and left sides of the bag body 244, the extensible rods 245are fixed by penetrating through the middle between the right and leftsides that is to say the direction of the thickness of the bag body 244.With a bag of this structure, the extensible rods 245 will makeefficient use of the inside of the bag body 244 difficult. To solve asmuch as possible the problems associated with the extensible rods 245,the present inventor has provided a partition panel 246 in the bag body244 and thus has invented a bag with the extensible rods 245 fixed tothis partition panel 246. The bag is designed to open on both sides soas to allow items to be placed in the bag on both sides of the partition246. In the bag of this structure, the partition panel 246 reinforcesthe bag body 244 and also divides the bag body 244 into two compartmentsthereby making the bag more convenient. However, the drawback of havingthe extensible rods 245 hindering inside the bag body 244 is still notsolved. Especially, the drawback of the bag body 244 becoming shallower,thus preventing the placement of thick items therein, cannot be solved.

[0009] To solve these drawbacks, the present inventor has developed abag shown in FIG. 4 (See Patent Reference 5).

[0010] This bag has a case body 344 mounted with casters 341 at fourcorners, and further has extensible rods 345 fixed on a side surface ofthe bag body 344. The extensible rods 345 have a structure capable ofextending a handle 343, and a grip 343A is connected to upper endsthereof. In the condition where the extensible rods 345 are pulled upfrom the bag body 344, the extensible rods 345 are curved so that thegrip 343A is located at the middle between the right and left sides ofan upper surface the bag body 344.

[0011] Patent Reference 1: U.S. Pat. No. 4,995,487

[0012] Patent Reference 2: Japanese Patent Publication 4-76686

[0013] Patent Reference 3: Japanese non-examined Utility ModelPublication No. 57-179824

[0014] Patent Reference 4: Japanese non-examined Utility ModelPublication No. 63-131634

[0015] Patent Reference 5: Japanese non-examined Patent Publication No.10-137022

[0016] In the bag of this structure, since the extensible rods are fixedon the side surface, the bag has a feature that can form an interior ofthe bag body deeply. However, in the bag of this structure, theextensible rods are fixed on the bag body, therefore, the bag body isrequired to have a rigid structure. The reason is that the bag bodyallows the extensible rods to stand on their own. Especially, in a baghaving casters mounted at the four corners whereby being freely moved ona horizontal plane in any moving directions, extensible rods fixed to abag body whereby standing on their own, and a grip of the rods with theheight of 60 to 100 cm, the bag can be used as a walking stick to moveby pushing the bag when a user walk with gripping the grip. In the bagof this structure, the bag is moved not by pulling the extensible rodsas shown in FIG. 1, but by pushing them forwardly to move the bag bodyas a walking stick for supporting a walker. Thus, the bag is required tohave a rigid structure so that it does not fall down when pushed.Accordingly, in order to achieve a rigid structure so that it does notfall down when pushed, mount portions of the bag and the rods should besufficiently reinforced. Therefore, such a bag has a drawback thatcomplex structure of the bag body causes an extremely high manufacturingcost. Further, it has another drawback that is difficult to reinforcethe bag body without reducing its storage space.

[0017] The present invention has been made to further solve thesedrawbacks. An important object of the present invention is to provide abag mounted with casters having a bag body of a simple structure capableof manufacturing inexpensively, and further capable of being easilymoved forward with standing on its own for use as a walking stick bygripping a grip disposed at an upper end.

[0018] The above and further objects and features of the invention willmore fully be apparent from the following detailed description withaccompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0019] A bag mounted with casters according to the present inventioncomprises a base frame including a loading table mounted with thecasters capable of being freely moved on a horizontal plane in anymoving directions mounted at four corners of the loading table,extensible rods upwardly extending from and fixed on one side of theloading table so as to stand on their own, the extensible rods having agrip disposed on upper ends thereof, and stoppers securing theextensible rods at an extended position and a retracted position; and abag body fixed on side surfaces of the extensible rods on or above theloading table.

[0020] Further, in the bag mounted with casters according to the presentinvention, the extensible rods are curved so that the grip moves fromthe one side of the loading table, on which the extensible rods arefixed, toward the middle of the loading table when the grip is raised byextending the extensible rods. The extensible rods are secured in aretracted state by the stoppers so that the grip is positioned at anupper portion of the bag body or above the bag body, and are secured inan extended state the stoppers so that a height of the grip from thebottoms of the casters is in a range of 60 to 100 cm.

[0021] Further, the bag mounted with casters according to the presentinvention may have a structure the extensible rods are tilted andconnected to the loading table so that the grip moves from the one sideof the loading table, on which the extensible rods are fixed, toward themiddle of the loading table when the grip is raised by extending theextensible rods. The extensible rods are secured in a retracted state bythe stoppers so that the grip is positioned at an upper portion of thebag body or above the bag body, and are secured in an extended state bythe stoppers so that a height of the grip from the bottoms of thecasters is in a range of 60 to 100 cm.

[0022] The bag mounted with casters of the above structure has a featurethat has a bag body of a simple structure capable of manufacturinginexpensively, and further capable of being easily moved forward withstanding on its own for use as a walking stick by gripping a gripdisposed at an upper end. The reason is that the bag comprises the baseframe mounted with the casters at four corners of the bottom thereof,and the bag body attached to the base frame, wherein the base frameincludes the extensible rods upwardly extending from and fixed on oneside of the loading table so as to stand on their own, and theextensible rods are curved or tilted so that the grip moves from the oneside of the loading table, on which the extensible rods are fixed,toward the middle of the loading table when the grip is raised byextending the extensible rods.

[0023] Especially, in the bag according to the present invention, theextensible rods stand on their own not by being supported by a bag bodyas a conventional bag but by being fixed on the loading table. For thisreason, a material, a shape, and a structure of the bag body are notrestricted in order to allow the extensible rods to stand on their own,in other words, the bag body can be a simple structure thus can bemanufactured inexpensively. In particular, a structure in which the bagbody is made of a flexible sheet by sewing can achieve weight reductionof the whole bag.

[0024] Further, in the above bag, since the extensible rods are fixed onthe loading table so as to stand on their own as the base frame, theextensible rods stably stand on their own even in the state where thegrip is raised by extending the extensible rods, and it is possible toachieve a tough structure that does not fall down. Accordingly, the bagcan be used as a walking stick to move by pushing the bag when a userwalks with gripping the grip in the state where the grip is raised.Particularly, a structure in which the loading table and the extensiblerods are connected by reinforcing walls has a feature that can reinforcea connection portion between the loading table and the extensible rods,thus, the extensible rods can stand on their own more stably.

[0025] Further, in the above bag, since the grip at the upper portionsof the extensible rods is located in the middle of the loading table inthe state where the extensible rods are extended, the bag has a featurethat has an excellent moving directivity without winding when moved bypushing the bag with gripping the grip.

[0026] The bag body may be made by sewing a flexible sheet and bedetachably attached to the base frame. The extensible rods may includeguide tubes, which vertically extend from and are fixed on the loadingtable, and sliding rods, which are inserted into the guide tubes,whereby telescoping, and the grip is fixed at upper ends of the slidingrods.

[0027] In the base frame, two extensible rods may be fixed on the oneside of the loading table, and the grip may be connected to the upperends of the two extensible rods. A connecting rod may be connectedbetween upper ends of guide tubes included by the two extensible rods.In addition, the two extensible rods may be fixed on both ends of theone side of the loading table.

[0028] Further, in the base frame, the loading table and the extensiblerods may be connected by reinforcing walls, and the bag body may beattached to an area surrounded by the reinforcing walls and theextensible rods. The base frame may be integrally formed with theloading table and the reinforcing walls of a plastic. The loading tablemay include projecting portions projecting in the direction that extendsthe width of the loading table at side portions, on which the extensiblerods are fixed, and the casters may be fixed to portions where theprojecting portions are provided.

[0029] Furthermore, in the bag mounted with casters, a collapsible chairmay be connected to the extensible rods. The collapsible chair mayinclude a seat connected to the extensible rods so that one side portionof the seat can tiltaby and vertically move, a folding leg tiltablyconnected to a connecting portion of the seat, a support link connectedto the folding leg so as to keep the seat in a horizontal position, anda connecting link restricting a tilted angle of the folding leg.

[0030] The stopper may include a projecting pin disposed at a lower endportion of the sliding rod so as to elastically project toward the guidetube, receiving portions provided on the guide tube so as to receive theprojecting pin therein, and a disengagement mechanism forcedlydisengaging the projecting pin from the receiving portions. Thedisengagement mechanism may include a push button disposed on the grip,a drive rod installed inside the grip and the sliding rod so as to bevertically moved by the push button, and a pivot member pivoting so asto forcedly move the projecting pin inward by being pushed by the driverod. the push button may be disposed on upper surface of the grip.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031]FIG. 1 shows a perspective view showing a conventional bag mountedwith casters;

[0032]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a bag developed by the presentinventor in advance of the present invention;

[0033]FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view of another bag developed bythe present inventor in advance of the present invention;

[0034]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another bag developed by thepresent inventor in advance of the present invention;

[0035]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a bag mounted with castersaccording to one embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from theback thereof;

[0036]FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the bag mounted withcasters shown in FIG. 5, with a bag body being detached;

[0037]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the bag mounted with casters shownin FIG. 5, as viewed from the back thereof;

[0038]FIG. 8 is a side view of a bag mounted with casters according toanother embodiment of the present invention;

[0039]FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view showing a structure of astopper of an extensible rod;

[0040]FIG. 10 is an enlarged sectional view showing a state, in whichthe stopper of the extensible rod shown in FIG. 9, is disengaged; and

[0041]FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a state, in which acollapsible chair of the bag shown in FIG. 5, is unfolded.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0042] A bag mounted with casters shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 comprises abase frame 1 mounted with the casters 6 capable of being freely moved ona horizontal plane in any moving directions mounted at four corners of abottom surface of the base frame 1, and a bag body 3 attached to thebase frame 1. In the bag of the drawings, the bag body 3 is detachablyattached to the base frame 3. The bag has a feature that can easilyreplace the bag body 3. However, the bag body may be unremovably fixedto the base frame.

[0043] The base frame 1 is formed of a plastic. The base frame 1includes a loading table 2 mounted with the casters 6 at four corners ofthe loading table 2, extensible rods 5 upwardly extending from and fixedon one side of the loading table 2 so as to stand on their own, theextensible rods 5 having a grip 4 disposed on upper ends of extensiblevertical rods 5, and a stopper 15 securing the extensible rods 5 at anextended position and a retracted position. A bag body 3 is fixed onside surfaces of the extensible rods 5 on or above the loading table 2.

[0044] The loading table 2 has a rectangular shape as its entire planeshape. The extensible rods 5 are fixed on one of longer edges of therectangular shape of the loading table 2. Reinforcing walls 8 aredisposed on shorter edges of the rectangular shape. The reinforcingwalls 8 upwardly extend from upper surface of the loading table 2. Thereinforcing walls 8 become gradually higher toward the sides where theextensible rods 5 are fixed. The reinforcing walls 8 can connect theextensible rods 8 to be fixed by a more rigid structure. The reinforcingwall 8 has a planer inside surface and reinforcing ribs 8A integrallyformed on an outside surface. A plurality of reinforcing ribs arearranged in the vertical direction, and a reinforcing rib is disposedalong an upper edge as the reinforcing ribs 8A in the reinforcing wall8. The reinforcing walls 8 achieve a light and rigid structure. Further,the reinforcing ribs 8A have a feature that can provide aestheticappearance.

[0045] The loading table 2 and the reinforcing walls 8 are integrallyformed of a plastic. The base frame 1 integrally formed with the loadingtable 2 and the reinforcing walls 8 can improve strength of theconnection between the loading table 2 and the reinforcing walls 8.However, in the bag according to the present invention, the loadingtable and the reinforcing walls may be separately formed of a plastic,and fixed by an adhesive, screws, or the like. In the loading table 2 ofthe drawings, the reinforcing walls 8 disposed on both ends thereof areconnected by a side wall 10. The side wall 10 is disposed on the side ofconnection of the extensible rods. The side wall 10 and the reinforcingwalls 8 are connected so as to be orthogonal to each other. The sidewall 10 is integrally formed with the reinforcing walls 8, and achievesreinforcement so that the reinforcing walls 8 do not fall down. As shownin FIG. 7, connection links 34 of a collapsible chair 30 are connectedto the middle of the side wall 10. The reinforcing walls 8 have verticalholes connecting the extensible rods 5 inserted therein. The extensiblerods 5 are inserted into and connected to the vertical holes 7. In thebag of the drawings, the extensible rods 5 have a square sectionalshape, thus, the vertical holes 7 also have a square sectional shape.The extensible rods 5 inserted into the vertical holes 7 are fixed byscrews, tips of which thrust the extensible rids 5. However, theextensible rods 5 may be fixed in the vertical holes 5 by an adhesive,or may be connected to the vertical holes 7 by an unremovable fitstructure. Such a structure connecting the extensible rods 5 to theloading table 2 can fix the extensible rods 5 to the loading table 2 inan extremely rigid structure.

[0046] The loading table 2 has a planer surface and reinforcing ribs(not shown), which longitudinally and laterally extend and areintegrally formed on lower surface thereof. The reinforcing ribs canallow the loading table 2 to be thin as a whole, and further achieve arigid structure. In addition, through holes penetrating vertically theloading table may be provided among the reinforcing ribs arrangedlongitudinally and laterally in the loading table whereby achievingweight reduction.

[0047] Further, the loading table 2 of FIG. 6 includes projectingportions 9 projecting in the direction that extends the width of theloading table 2 at side portions, on which the extensible rods 5 arefixed, i.e. the right side in FIG. 6, and the casters 6 are fixed toportions where the projecting portions 9 are provided. The loading table2 with the projecting portions 9 can allow a wide spacing between thecasters 6 fixed at both ends of the projecting portions 9, and providestability. Although the loading table 2 of a rectangular shape withnarrow width tends to fall down, providing the projecting portions 9allow a wide spacing between the casters 6 and can improve stability.The casters 6 are fixed at four corners of the loading table 2.Accordingly, the projecting portions 9 are provided at the both ends onthe side of connection of the extensible rods 5. In the loading table 2with the projecting portions 9 has a width of 14 to 16 cm, and a lengthof 20 to 35 cm. Besides, its width may be 12 to 35 cm.

[0048] The bag of the drawings holds the collapsible chair 30 betweenthe projecting portions 9, and connects the collapsible chair 30 withoutincreasing its width. The bag has a feature that can improve lateralstability by the projecting portions 9 and hold the collapsible chair 30in the space formed by the projecting portions 9.

[0049] In the bag of the drawings, the bag body 3 is fixed on the sidesurfaces of the extensible rods (5) on or above the loading table 2. Thebag body 3 can be made of a flexible sheet by sewing. The bag has astructure that can detachably attach the bag body 3. However, the bagbody may be unremovably fixed to the base frame. Connecting holes 12 andthe connecting hooks 13 are provided in the base frame 1 of FIG. 6, andthe bag body 3 is detachably attached to the base frame 1. Theconnecting holes 12 are provided on the loading table 2 and thereinforcing walls 8. The loading table 2 has connecting holes 12 on theside opposite to the side of connection of the extensible rods. Theloading table 2 has two of the connecting holes 12 penetratingvertically. The reinforcing walls 8 have the connecting holes 12 at aposition close to the extensible rods 5 on the upper edge portions. Thereinforcing wall 8 has the connecting hole 12 penetrating verticallythrough the reinforcing rib 8A. The connecting holes 12 of FIG. 6 have aslit shape. The bag body 3 is connected to the base frame 1 by insertingconnecting bands 3A fixed to the bag body 3 into the connecting holes 12with a slit shape.

[0050] The connecting hooks 13 are connected to the extensible rods 5.In the bag of FIG. 6, the extensible rods 5 include guide tubes 5B,lower ends of which are connected to the loading table 2, and slidingrods 5A inserted into the guide tubes (5B) whereby telescoping, and theconnecting hooks 13 are provided on the connecting rods 11 connectingthe upper ends of the guide tubes 5B. The connecting rod 11 isintegrally formed with the connecting hooks 13 of a plastic. Theconnecting hooks 13 upwardly extend. The connecting hooks 13 areinserted into connecting slits 3B provided on the bag body 3 and connectthe bag body 3 so that the bag body 3 is not detached. The connectinghooks 13 are inserted into the connecting slits 3B provided on an upperportion of the bag body 3, and the connecting bands 3A provided on alower portion of the bag body 3 are connected to the base frame 1, thus,the bag body 3 is connected so that the bag body 3 is not detached.Connecting the connecting bands 3A to the base frame 1 prevents anupward movement of the bag body 3. The connecting hooks 13 extendingupwardly connect the bag body 3 prevented from moving upwardly so thatthe bag body 3 is not detached.

[0051] The above connecting holes 12 and the connecting hooks 13detachably, easily, and stably connect the bag body 3 to the base frame,so that the bag body 3 is not detached, as follows:

[0052] (1) Attaching the connecting hooks 13 to the connecting slits 3Bof the bag body 3.

[0053] (2) Connecting the connecting bands 3A, which are connected tothe lower portion of the bag body 3, to the connecting holes 12 providedon the loading table 2 and the reinforcing walls 8 of the base frame 1,in this state. One ends of the connecting bands 3A are fixed on the bagbody 3 by sewing, or are connected by an adhesive. Detachable connectingmembers are provided at free ends of the connecting bands 3A. Thedetachable connecting member can be a button, a hook, a clasp, a Velcrofastener (registered trademark), or the like.

[0054] Detaching the connecting bands 3A, and then moving the bag body 3upwardly so as to disengage the bag body 3 from the connecting hooks 13in inverse order of attachment when the bag body 3 attached to the baseframe 1 is removed. Connecting the lower portion and the upper portionof the above bag body 3 to the base frame 1 and the connecting hooks 13respectively can provide easy and stable attachment and detachment ofthe bag body 3 to the base frame 1. The bag body may be attached byconnecting both upper and lower portions of the bag body to the baseframe by the connecting bands without use of the connecting hooks.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 5, the extensible rods 5 are curved so that thegrip 4 moves from the one side of the loading table 2, on which theextensible rods 5 are fixed, toward the middle of the loading table 2when the grip 4 is raised by extending the extensible rods 5. In thecase that the extensible rods 5 are fixed on the right side of theloading table 2 as shown in FIG. 5, the middle of the loading table 2 isdefined as the center of the right and left direction of the loadingtable 2. In the bag of FIG. 5, since the extensible rods 5 are fixed onthe right side of the loading table 2, the extensible rods 5 are curvedso that the grip 4 moves from the right side to the left side of theloading table 2 when the extensible rods 5 are raised. In other words,the middle portions of the extensible rods 5 are shaped as an arc andoutwardly project so as to move the raised grip 4 in the directionapproaching to the center from the side portion of the loading table 2.Besides, it is not always necessary that the grip 4 is positioned at thecenter of the loading table 2 in the state that the extensible rods 5are raised. The reason is that the bag can be moved by pushing the grip4 without winding even when the grip 4 is not positioned at the rightcenter. In FIG. 5, a position where the grip 4 is raised is in a rangeof 15 to 80% for example preferably 20 to 60%, more preferably 20 to 50%when an end surface of the one side on which the extensible rods 5 arefixed, is defined as a zero point, and an end surface of the oppositeside is defined 100.

[0056] Further, in the bag of FIG. 8, the extensible rods 85 are tiltedand fixed to the loading table 82 so that the grip 84 moves from the oneside of the loading table 82, on which the extensible rods 85 are fixed,toward the middle of the loading table 82 when the grip 84 is raised byextending the extensible rods 85. In the bag of FIG. 8, since theextensible rods 85 are fixed on the right side of the loading table 82,the extensible rods 85 are tilted so that the grip 84 moves from theright side to the left side of the loading table 82 when the extensiblerods 85 are raised. Similarly to the curved extensible rods 5, in tiltedextensible rods 85, it is not always necessary that the grip 84 ispositioned at the middle of the loading table 2 in the state that thegrip 84 is raised. The reason is that the bag can be moved by pushingthe grip 84 without winding even when the grip 84 is not positioned atthe right center.

[0057] Besides, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, components same as orsimilar to those of the aforementioned embodiment are attached withnumerals with the same last digit(s) of reference numerals except thefirst one digit of numerals, and their description is omitted.

[0058] In addition, although not illustrated, the bag may include curvedextensible rods, which are tilted and fixed on one side of the loadingtable, so that the grip is moved from the one side toward the middle ofthe loading table when the grip is raised. In this bag, the grip can bemoved so as to approach the middle of the loading table as raised, evenwhen a radius of curvature is greater, and the angle of inclination iscloser to a right angle. The reason is that both inclination andcurvature can allow the raised grip to move from the side portion to themiddle of the loading table.

[0059] Stoppers 15 secure the extensible rods 5 so that the grip 4 ispositioned at the upper portion of, or above the bag body 3 in aretracted state, i.e., in the state that the grip 4 is fully pusheddown. The extensible rods 5 are designed whereby the height of uppersurface of the grip from the bottoms of the casters 6 is approximately50 cm when the extensible rods 5 are fully retracted so that the grip 4is positioned at the lowest position. However, the extensible rods 5 maybe designed whereby the height of upper surface of the grip from thebottoms of the casters 6 is preferably in a range of 30 to 80 cm, morepreferably 35 to 75 cm when the extensible rods 5 are fully retracted sothat the grip 4 is positioned at the lowest position. For ease ofgripping the grip 4, the bag body 3 is designed to be lower than thegrip 4 in the state that the grip 4 is positioned at the lowest positionby retracting the extensible rods 5. The stopper 15 secures theextensible rod 5 at a position where the height of center of the grip 4from the bottoms of the casters 6 is in a range of 60 to 100 cm,preferably 65 to 85 cm in an extended state, i.e., in the state that thegrip 4 is fully raised.

[0060] The extensible rods 5 includes guide tubes 5B, which verticallyextend from and are fixed on the loading table 2, and sliding rods 5A,which are inserted into the guide tubes 5B, whereby telescoping, and thegrip 4 is fixed at upper ends of the sliding rods 5A. The guide tube 5Band the sliding rod 5A can be metal tubes with different sizes from eachother. However, the guide tube and the sliding rod may be tubes with asquare section formed of a plastic.

[0061] In the bag of the drawings, the two extensible rods 5 are fixedon the one end of the loading table 2, and the grip 4 is connected tothe upper ends of the two extensible rods 5. In addition, in the bag ofthe drawings, the two extensible rods 4 are located and fixed at bothends of the one side of the loading table 2. In other words, spacebetween the two extensible rods 4 is designed to substantially equal tothe length of longer edge of the loading table 2 with a rectangularshape. Thus, a structure fixing the two the extensible rods 5 at theboth ends of the loading table 2 has a feature that can allow theextensible rods 5 to stand on their own in a more rigid structure. Thereason is that a frame of the rectangular shape defined by the twoextensible rods 5 and the grip 4 can be larger. This structure canextremely reduce the force acting in the direction that pushes theextensible rods 4 down by pushing the grip 4 toward moving direction ofthe bag, in the state that the bag with the extended extensible rods 5is moved. Accordingly, even when a user walks with gripping the grip 4,or when a user uses the bag as a walking stick to move by pushing thebag, it is possible to stably move the bag while preventing the extendedextensible rods 5 from falling down. Additionally, load applied on aconnection portion between the extensible rods 5 and the loading table 2can be extremely reduced. Therefore, the structure has a feature thatcan effectively prevent damage to this portion.

[0062] Further, the structure fixing the two extensible rods 5 at theboth ends of the longer edge of the loading table 2 fixes the extensiblerods 5 at an end portion of the front side and an end portion of therear side in the moving direction of the loading table 2 that the bag ismoved with the casters 6. Accordingly, the force acts on the extensiblerod 5 of the front side in the direction that the loading table 2 ispulled, and the force acts on the extensible rod 5 of the rear side inthe direction that the loading table 2 is pushed. Thus, it is possibleto lightly and smoothly move the loading table 2. Especially, thisstructure can provide excellent directivity of the loading table 2 forsteering in the movement. Therefore, this structure can achieve afeature that stably moves the loading table 2 mounted with casters 6capable of being freely moved on a horizontal plane in any movingdirections mounted at four corners of bottom surface thereof withexcellent directivity.

[0063] Furthermore, the connecting rod 11 is connected between the upperends of guide tubes 5B included by the two extensible rods 5. The lowerends of the guide tubes 5B are fixed to the loading table 2, and theupper end portions are connected to the connecting rod 11. Thus, astructure connecting the connecting rod 11 at the upper ends of theguide tubes 5B can reinforce the two extensible rods 5 and allow the twoextensible rods 5 to more stably stand on their own. An insertionclearance 14 to insert user's hands is provided between the connectingrod 11 and the grip 4 lowered at the lowest position shown by a dashedline. This is for ease of gripping the lowered grip 4. The grip 4 of thedrawings is formed of a plastic in a U-shape as a whole, and both endsof bent portions are connected to the sliding rods 5A, thus, theinsertion clearance 12 is provided.

[0064] Any mechanism capable of securing the extensible rod 5 can beused as the stopper 15. One example of the stopper 15 is shown in FIG. 9and FIG. 10. The stopper of these drawings includes a projecting pin 16disposed at a lower end portion of the sliding rod 5A so as toelastically project toward the guide tube 5B, receiving portions 17provided on the guide tube 5B so as to receive the projecting pin 16therein, and a disengagement mechanism 18 forcedly disengaging theprojecting pin 16 from the receiving portions 16.

[0065] The projecting pin 16 is attached to the lower end portion of thesliding rod 5A through an elastic member 19 so as to elastically projecttoward the guide tube 5B. The projecting pin 16 elastically projectsfrom the sliding rod 5A by being thrust by the elastic member 19. Thereceiving portion 17 is a through hole or a recessed portion into whichthe projecting pin 16 is inserted. The guide tube 5B shown in thedrawings has a through hole opening thereon, into which the projectingpin 16 is inserted, as the receiving portion 17. A structure with thethrough hole as the receiving portion 17 has a feature that ensures tosecure the extensible rod 5 by projecting the projecting pin 16outwardly of the guide tube 5B from through the hole. This can provideextreme safety in use of the extensible rods 5 instead of a walkingstick, in other words, when a user leans on the grip 4 to support his orher weight. The reason is that the extensible rods 5 can be effectivelyprevented from being pushed down due to unintentional disengagement ofthe projecting pin 16 from the receiving portion 17. In addition, thestructure has another feature that can prevent the extensible rods 5from extending unintentionally when the whole bag is lifted by grippingthe grip 4. Thus, the stopper 15 capable of surely securing the positionof the sliding rod 5A has a feature that provides extreme safety in usein the case of the grip 4 at the raised position and lowered position.However, the receiving portion may be a recessed portion into which atip of the projecting pin is inserted.

[0066] Although not illustrated, the receiving portions 17 provided onthe guide tube 5B are disposed at the positions where the projecting pin16 is inserted into the states that the sliding rods 5A are fullyraised, raised in the middle, and fully lowered. Extension andretraction of the extensible rods 5 stop by inserting the projecting pin16 into the highest receiving portion 17 in the state that the slidingrods 5A are fully raised, by inserting the projecting pin 16 into thelowest receiving portion 17 in the state that the sliding rods 5A arefully lowered, and by inserting the projecting pin 16 into the middlereceiving portion 17 in the state that the sliding rods 5A are raised inthe middle. Thus, the extensible rod 5 with the receiving portion 17 inthe middle of the guide tube 5B has a feature that can extend andretract the sliding rods 5A in multi steps. However, the extensible rodsdo not necessarily have a structure capable of stopping at the middleposition. They may stop only at the raised position and the loweredposition. Additionally, a plurality of receiving portions 17 may bearranged in the middle of the guide tube 5B so that the sliding rod 5Araised in the middle stops at a plurality of raised positions. Thisextensible rod 5 can select the most suitable position of the grip 4 bymoving the grip vertically in small steps.

[0067] The disengagement mechanism 18 includes a push button 4 disposedon the grip 4, a drive rod 21 installed inside the grip 4 and thesliding rod 5A so as to be vertically moved by the push button 4, and apivot member 22 pivoting so as to forcedly move the projecting pin 16inward by being pushed by the drive rod 21.

[0068] The push button 20 is provided in the middle portion of an uppersurface of the grip 4 so as to move vertically. The push button 20 isconnected to a lower surface of the grip 4 through an elastic member 23,and is elastically thrust through the elastic body 23. A lower surfaceof the push button 20 is connected to the drive rod 21, and drives thedrive rod 21 vertically when the push button 20 is move by user'sfinger(s) or thumb.

[0069] The drive rod 21 is disposed inside the grip 4 and the slidingrod 5A, and is driven to pivotally move the pivot member 22 by the pushbutton 20. The drive rod 21 shown in the drawings includes a horizontalrod 21A connected to the lower surface of the grip 4, and vertical rods21B inserted through the sliding rods 5A. Both ends of the horizontalrod 21A are located at positions above upper ends of the vertical rods21B so as to push the vertical rods 21B downward when the horizontal rod21A is thrust downwardly. Insertion caps 24, which vertically moveinside the sliding rods 5A, are inserted into the upper ends of thevertical rods 21B, thus, the vertical rods 21B can accurately moveinside the sliding rods 5A in the vertical direction. However, the bothends of the horizontal rod may be connected to the upper ends of thevertical rods. For example, the drive rod may be one rod bent in aU-shape. Lower ends of the drive rods 21 extend to the lower ends of thesliding rods 5A.

[0070] The pivot members 22 are connected to the lower ends of thesliding rods 5A, and pivot in the direction that forcedly moves theprojecting pins 16 inwardly by pushed by the lower ends of the driverods 21. The lower end of the sliding rod 5A shown in the drawings isconnected to the guide cap 25. The pivot member 22 is attached insidethe guide cap 25 so as to pivot on the vertical plane. The guide cap 25has a connecting cylindrical portion 26 inserted into the sliding rod5A, and an opening insertion hole 26A, which the drive rod 21 isinserted through, in the connecting cylindrical portion 26, so that thelower portion of the drive rod 21 can accurately move in the verticaldirection. One end of the pivot member 22 is connected to the guide cap25 via a pivot shaft 27, and a pin 22A projecting toward the projectingpin 16 is located at both sides of another end. When the pivot member 22pivots by being thrust by the drive rod 21, a tip of the pin 22 contactsthe projecting portions 16A provided on both sides of the projecting pin16, and then the pivoting pin 22A thrusts the projecting pin 16 so as toforcedly move the projecting pin 16 backward. When thrust of the driverod 21 is released, the projecting pin 16 is not thrust by the pin 22Aof the pivot member 22, thus, the pivot member 22 pivots in a restposition by being elastically pushed by the elastic member 19.

[0071] In the above disengagement mechanism 18, when the push button 20is pushed, the drive rod 21 is pushed down, and the pivot members 22,which are provided on the lower ends of the drive rod 21, pivot. Thepivot member 22 moving pivotally moves the projecting pin 16 in thedirection that the projecting pin 16 is released by the tip of the pin22A, and releases the projecting pin 16 from the receiving portion 17.In this state, the stopper 15 is disengaged, and the sliding rod 5A canvertically move inside the guide tube 5B. When the push button 20 isreleased, the projecting pin 16 in the state that the projecting pin 16can project toward the guide tube 5B by being thrust by the elasticmember 16.

[0072] In the stopper 15, pushing the push button 20 of thedisengagement mechanism 18 provided on the grip forcedly move theprojecting pin 16 inward, thus, the stopper 15 is disengaged. Thesliding rod 5A is raised or lowered in the state of disengagement of thestopper 15. The sliding rod 5A with the projecting pin 16 pulled thereincan vertically move inside of the guide tube 5B. After the push button20 is released, when the grip 4 is adjusted to a predetermined height,the projecting pin 16 is led to the receiving portion 17, thus, theextension and retraction of the extensible rod 5 stop. Accordingly,upward and downward movement of the grip 4 also stops.

[0073] The stopper 15 of the above structure has a simple structure andcan secure the extensible rod 5 at the predetermined positions. However,in the bag according to the present invention, the stopper is notspecifically limited to the above structure. Any mechanism capable ofsecuring the extensible rod at a predetermined position can be used asthe stopper.

[0074] Further, in the bag of FIG. 5, the collapsible chair 30 isconnected to the extensible rods 5. In the bag with the collapsiblechair 30, a user can sit on the unfolded chair relaxedly at rest duringa wait or when he or she is tired. Especially, the bag according to thepresent invention can be used as a walking stick when a user moves inthe state that the grip 4 is raised, therefore, the bag with thecollapsible chair 30 attached thereto has a feature that can providecomfort for the user in the both cases that the user moves and does notmove.

[0075] In the bag of the drawings, the collapsible chair 30 is providedinside the projecting portions 9 of the loading table 2. Accordingly,the collapsible chair 30 is designed not to project from the projectingportions 9 when folded, thus the chair can be provided withoutincreasing the width of the bag as a whole. The collapsible chair 30includes a seat 31 which is unfolded in use, a folding leg 32 whichsupports the seat 31 stably when unfolded, a support link 33 whichsupports the seat 31 in a horizontal position, and connecting links 34support which support the folding leg 32 at a predetermined angle.

[0076] The seat 31 is connected to the extensible rods 5 so that one ofside portions of the seat 31 can be tiltably and vertically moved. Theseat 31 is integrally formed with a peripheral wall 35 projectingdownwardly along both sides and a front end of the seat 31 of a plastic.First notch portions 35A and snap notch portions 35B guiding the foldingleg 32 and the connecting links 34 in a folded state respectively areprovided on the peripheral wall 35. The snap notch portion guides theconnecting link 34 with a snap, and can hold the collapsible chair 30 ina folded state. The reason is that the folding leg 32 and the seat 31,which are folded in a position parallel to the extensible rods 5, cannotbe unfolded as long as the connecting links 34 are disengaged from thesnap notch portions 35B.

[0077] The seat 31 is tiltably connected to an vertical move base 36movable vertically along the extensible rods 5. Both ends of thevertical move base 36 are slidably connected to the guide tubes 5B ofthe extensible rods 5. The guide tube 5B is a tube of a square section,thus, through holes 36A of a square section are provided at the bothends of the vertical move base 36. The guide tubes 5B are inserted intothe through holes 36A whereby slidably moving. When the collapsiblechair 30 is folded and unfolded, the vertical move base 36 verticallymoves along the guide tubes 5B of the extensible rods 5 in a horizontalposition. In addition, stopper tubular members 37 stopping downwardmovement of the vertical move base 36 are fixed on the extensible rods5. Contact of the vertical move base 36 with the stopper tubular member37 stops the downward movement of the vertical move base 36.

[0078] The folding leg 32 is a metal pipe bent in a U-shape, and itsboth ends are tiltably connected to the vertical move base 36, which isa connecting portion of the seat 1. The folding leg 32 is folded andunfolded in the direction that the folding leg 32 is tilted relative tothe extensible rods 5. When the folding leg 32 is unfolded, its lowerend is spaced from the extensible rods 5, thus, the unfolded folding leg32 and the extensible rods 5 can stably support the seat 31. In theunfolded state, the folding leg 32 supports the extensible rods 5 in asubstantially vertical position.

[0079] The support link 33 is connected to the folding leg 32 so thatits lower ends can tilt, and keeps the seat 31 in a horizontal position.The support link 33 is a metal rod of a U-shape by bending. Both of itsends are titably connected to the folding leg 32. Slits 38 are providedon lower surface of the seat 31. A horizontal portion in the middle ofthe metal rod bent in a U-shape slidably moves along the slits 38. Asthe seat 31 is unfolded relative to the folding leg 32, the horizontalportion of the support link 33 slidably moves along the slits 38 of theseat 31. As shown in FIG. 11, the support link 33 in a tilt position tothe front side of the seat 31 supports the seat 31 in a horizontalposition. As the seat 31 is folded, the horizontal portion of thesupport link 33 slidably moves along the slits 38 backwardly of theseat, i.e., the left side in FIG. 11.

[0080] The connecting links 34 are two rods. One ends and other ends ofthe connecting links 34 are tiltably connected to the folding leg 32 andthe loading table 2, respectively. In the bag of the drawings, theconnecting links 34 are tiltably connected to an upper surface of theside wall 10 provided on the loading table 2. The connecting links 34are connected to the middle leg portions of the folding leg, andrestrict a tilted angle of the folding leg 32 to a predetermined angle.The folding leg 32 is tilted while the vertical move base 36 is lowered.As the vertical move base 36 is lowered, the tilted angle of the foldingleg 32 is getting greater. Contact of the vertical move base 36 with thestopper tubular member 37 stops the downward movement of the verticalmove base 36. In this state, the connecting links 34 stop the foldingleg 32 from being further tilted.

[0081] The collapsible chair of this structure is folded and unfoldedupon the actions as follows.

[0082] Folded State:

[0083] The vertical move base 36 is positioned at a raised position. Theseat 31 and the folding leg 32 are folded in a position parallel to theextensible rods 5. The folding leg 32 is guided to the first notchportions 35A of the seat 31. The connecting links 34 are guided to thesnap notch portions 35B of the seat 31. The support link 33 is alsofolded in parallel to the extensible rods 5. The collapsible chair 30 isin this state of a position parallel to the extensible rods 5, when thebag moves with the casters 6, or when the collapsible chair 30 is not inuse. The connecting links 34 are guided to the snap notch portions 35Bof the seat 31, thus, the collapsible chair 30 is held in a foldedstate.

[0084] Unfolding Collapsible Chair:

[0085] Releasing the connecting links 34 from the snap notch portions35B of the seat 31. Lowering the vertical move base 36 to unfold theseat 31 and the folding leg 32. Then, lowering the vertical move base 36until it contacts the stopper tubular members 37, and stopping it atthis position. In this state, the connecting links 34 stop the foldingleg 32 from being further tilted. Tilting the support link 33 toforwardly move the horizontal portion along the slits 38 of the seat 31.Then, stopping the support link 33 at the most front position of theslits 38 of the seat 31. In this state, the seat 31 is supported in ahorizontal or substantially horizontal position by the support link 33.

[0086] As this invention may be embodied in several forms withoutdeparting from the spirit or the essential characteristics thereof, thepresent embodiment is therefore illustrative and not restrictive, sincethe scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims rather thanby the description preceding them, and all changes that fall within themetes and bounds of the claims, or the equivalence of such metes andbounds thereof are therefore intended to be embraced by the claims.

[0087] This application is based on application No. 2003-144194 filed inJapan on May 21, 2003, the content of which is incorporated hereinto byreference.

What is claimed is:
 1. A bag mounted with casters comprising: a base frame including a loading table mounted with the casters capable of being freely moved on a horizontal plane in any moving directions mounted at four corners of the loading table, extensible rods upwardly extending from and fixed on one side of the loading table so as to stand on their own, the extensible rods having a grip disposed on upper ends thereof, and stoppers securing the extensible rods at an extended position and a retracted position; and a bag body fixed on side surfaces of the extensible rods on or above the loading table, wherein: the extensible rods have a shape so that the grip moves from the one side of the loading table, on which the extensible rods are fixed, toward the middle of the loading table as the grip is raised by extending the extensible rods, the extensible rods are secured in a retracted state by the stoppers so that the grip is positioned at an upper portion of the bag body or above the bag body, and are secured in an extended state by the stoppers so that a height of the grip from the bottoms of the casters is in a range of 60 to 100 cm.
 2. The bag mounted with casters according to claim 1, wherein the extensible rods are curved so that the grip moves from the one side of the loading table, on which the extensible rods are fixed, toward the middle of the loading table as the grip is raised by extending the extensible rods.
 3. The bag mounted with casters according to claim 1, wherein the extensible rods are tilted and connected to the loading table so that the grip moves from the one side of the loading table, on which the extensible rods are fixed, toward the middle of the loading table as the grip is raised by extending the extensible rods.
 4. The bag mounted with casters according to claim 1, wherein apposition where the grip is raised by extending the extensible rods is in a range of 15 to 80% when an end surface of the one side on which the extensible rods are fixed, is defined as a zero point, and an end surface of the opposite side is defined
 100. 5. The bag mounted with casters according to claim 1, wherein a position where the grip is raised by extending the extensible rods is in a range of 20 to 60% when an end surface of the one side on which the extensible rods are fixed, is defined as a zero point, and an end surface of the opposite side is defined
 100. 6. The bag mounted with casters according to claim 1, wherein a position where the grip is raised by extending the extensible rods is in a range of 20 to 50% when an end surface of the one side on which the extensible rods are fixed, is defined as a zero point, and an end surface of the opposite side is defined
 100. 7. The bag mounted with casters according to claim 1, wherein the bag body is made of a flexible sheet by sewing, and detachably attached to the base frame.
 8. The bag mounted with casters according to claim 1, wherein the extensible rods include guide tubes, which vertically extend from and are fixed on the loading table, and sliding rods, which are inserted into the guide tubes, whereby telescoping, and the grip is fixed at upper ends of the sliding rods.
 9. The bag mounted with casters according to claim 1, wherein two extensible rods are fixed on the one side of the loading table, and the grip is connected to the upper ends of the two extensible rods.
 10. The bag mounted with casters according to claim 9, wherein a connecting rod is connected between upper ends of guide tubes included by the two extensible rods.
 11. The bag mounted with casters according to claim 9, wherein the two extensible rods are fixed at both end portions of the one side of the loading table.
 12. The bag mounted with casters according to claim 1, wherein the loading table and the extensible rods are connected by reinforcing walls, and the bag body is attached to an area surrounded by the reinforcing walls and the extensible rods.
 13. The bag mounted with casters according to claim 12, wherein the base frame is integrally formed with the loading table and the reinforcing walls of a plastic.
 14. The bag mounted with casters according to claim 1, wherein the loading table includes projecting portions projecting in the direction that extends the width of the loading table at side portions, on which the extensible rods are fixed, and the casters are fixed to portions where the projecting portions are provided.
 15. The bag mounted with casters according to claim 1, wherein a collapsible chair is connected to the extensible rods.
 16. The bag mounted with casters according to claim 15, wherein the collapsible chair includes a seat connected to the extensible rods so that one side portion of the seat can tiltaby and vertically move, a folding leg tiltably connected to a connecting portion of the seat, a support link connected to the folding leg so as to keep the seat in a horizontal position, and a connecting link restricting a tilted angle of the folding leg.
 17. The bag mounted with casters according to claim 8, wherein the stopper includes a projecting pin disposed at a lower end portion of the sliding rod so as to elastically project toward the guide tube, receiving portions provided on the guide tube so as to receive the projecting pin therein, and a disengagement mechanism forcedly disengaging the projecting pin from the receiving portions.
 18. The bag mounted with casters according to claim 17, wherein the disengagement mechanism includes a push button disposed on the grip, a drive rod installed inside the grip and the sliding rod so as to be vertically moved by the push button, and a pivot member pivoting so as to forcedly move the projecting pin inward by being pushed by the drive rod.
 19. The bag mounted with casters according to claim 18, wherein the push button is disposed on upper surface of the grip. 